In 2022, Flowers by renowned contemporary artist, Alex Katz, graced The Woodlands Waterway Square garage. As one of the largest art murals in Texas at 35,000 square feet, Flowers anchors the 2.3-acre outdoor community gathering space in Waterway Square. The mural transforms the northeast corner of Waterway Square, engaging the last remaining inactive streetscape within the one-acre downtown public plaza that serves as a vibrant, walkable urban core in The Woodlands Town Center.
The Howard Hughes Corporation views public art as a way of creating a greater connection to and within the communities it builds. This work was commissioned purposefully to bring people together through shared appreciation of the beautiful convergence of nature and artistic design.
A free community-wide mural celebration was held in conjunction with The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival 2022. Guests enjoyed live music from Houston area acoustic musicians, food carts including signature mocktails and ice cream; the Texas Bubblers with giant bubble demonstrations; complimentary flower bouquets; sketch artists; origami lessons; photos from a 360 degree spinning camera; and complimentary memorabilia. A special media event also promoted the debut of the mural.
Howard Hughes recently garnered several prestigious international awards for the promotion and celebration of the 358 X 105-foot art mural.
The accolades include:
- Communitas Awards – Excellence Winner
Excellence in Community Service – Company Community Service/Community Partnership
- Communicator Awards
Award of Distinction – Public Relations Campaign
- MarCom Awards
Gold Award – Strategic Communications – Communications/Public Relations
Howard Hughes is committed to the enrichment of art and culture in the community which started in 1973 by founder of The Woodlands, Geroge Mitchell. The mural complements The Woodlands, which highlights one of the largest outdoor art collections in the nation for a community its size. The Woodlands features nearly 90 public art pieces positioned throughout the community.
